Determined Tomic to take fight to Djokovic

Justin Chadwick

Australian Bernard Tomic will put his new-found fighting spirit to the ultimate test when he takes on world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in Wednesday night's Hopman Cup clash at Perth Arena.

Djokovic has won all three of his meetings against Tomic, although the 20-year-old Queenslander managed to take a set off the five-time grand slam champion in their 2011 Wimbledon quarter-final.

Tomic endured a topsy-turvy 2012 campaign, with several on- and off-court controversies overshadowing his climb to No. 27 in the world in June.

The rising star has since vowed to display a far more determined edge on the court in a bid to make the most of his tennis talents.

Tomic defeated Germany's world No. 21 Tommy Haas 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 7-5 on Saturday and said he was looking forward to measuring his progress against Djokovic.

''He's the best player in the world right now, and I'm going to try my best,'' Tomic said.

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''The last time I played him, it was in Toronto and he won 6-2, 6-3, but I felt it was a very close match. I had a lot of break points.

''I'm going to be limited to very few chances on Wednesday night, but I have to take it when they come by me. I've got to step on that court believing and playing as best as I can. Then I'm in for a shot.''

Djokovic suffered an injury scare on Monday when a hoarding holding back fans collapsed and struck the Serbian on the legs.

He was cleared of any serious injury and moved freely during his mixed doubles match against Italy.

Australia beat Germany 3-0 in its opening tie after Andrea Petkovic was forced to retire due to a knee injury in her match against 16-year-old Ashleigh Barty.

Barty, the 2011 Wimbledon junior champion, lost the first set against Petkovic 6-4 but showed some promising signs against the former world No. 9.

But she will have to lift her game to new heights if she is to stand a chance against Ana Ivanovic, who powered past Francesca Schiavone, of Italy, 6-0, 6-4 on Monday.

''I'll just go out there and be aggressive as always,'' Barty said. AAP